80th Villach Kirchtag: Austria’s most famous traditional festival

Written by: Philipp Kappl, 10.07.2025

Each year, thousands of people celebrate the Villacher Kirchtag in Austria. For good reason: you can expect culinary delicacies, music, dancing, traditional costumes, beer, leisure attractions and of course: lots of fun! To make sure you have a great time at the 80th Villacher Kirchtag, here’s all the important information!

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Villacher Kirchtag: All information about Austria’s biggest kirtag

You should not miss the 80th Villacher Kirchtag. We tell you when and where the Kirchtag takes place and what you can expect.

What is the Villacher Kirchtag?

The Villacher Kirchtag has been the highlight of the “Kirchtag Week” since 1936. Today, it is the biggest traditional folk festival in Austria.In the first week of August, Villach is transformed into a huge festival site with leisure attractions, food and souvenir stalls, and party tents. The highlight of this week is the Villacher Kirchtag, which takes place on Saturday.

When is the Villacher Kirchtag 2025?

The “Kirchtag Week” takes place from the 27th of July to the 3rd of August 2025.

Which roads lead to the Villacher Kirchtag?

Getting to the Villacher Kirchtag is easy thanks to the various transport options – whether by public transport, car, or special shuttle services. You’ll find all the latest information on the official website.

By Train

The NIGHTline commuter trains take you directly to Villach from the surrounding region:

  • S1: between Spittal/Drau, Villach, Klagenfurt, St. Veit/Glan
  • S2: between Feldkirchen, Villach
  • S4: between Arnoldstein, Villach, Hermagor
  • S5: between Ledenitzen, Villach

By Bus & Local Transport

In addition to regular routes, there are special arrangements during Kirchtag:

  • BUS:SI – Villach’s city bus with extended evening service
  • Night buses during the traditional festival week on routes to Gailtal, Gegendtal, See-West, Drautal, and Finkenstein
  • From 6 PM, Kirchtag transport is free with the Kirchtagsherz, Kärnten-Ticket, or Klimaticket
  • Depending on the day of the week, the final departures run until after 2 AM

Kirchtag Shuttle Buses

A special offer from the Villach tourism board:

  • Daily shuttles every hour on the hour from 12:00 pm from Faaker See and Ossiacher See
  • Last return trip: Midnight (1:00 am on Saturday night)
  • Special ride from Bad Bleiberg on Friday (August 1st) – registration required

For detailed information on schedules and fares, as well as a clear overview of all car parks and garages in and around Villach, click here!

Why do we celebrate the Villacher Kirchtag?

The first Villacher Kirchtag was organised by the city of Villach on the 1st and 2nd of August 1936, as an enactment of the medieval tradition of the fair around St. Jacob’s Day. One part of it is the Jakobimarkt, one of Villach’s oldest markets. It was brought back in 1980 after being forgotten for hundreds of years. Around the Villach Parish Church, you will find a wide range of old and new handicrafts. The name is dedicated to St. Jacob, the patron saint of the city’s main parish church, who is celebrated during the church week.

Over the years, new traditions have been added, such as the Kirchtag soup, the Kirchtag shops and the traditional “Trachten” parade. In the meantime, the Villach Kirchtag has become the largest traditional festival in Austria and a fixed date in the summer, attracting guests from all federal states and neighbouring countries.

What can I do at the Villacher Kirchtag?

The Villacher Kirchtag offers a diverse programme that ensures fun and good vibes. The mayor ceremoniously opens the festivities with the tapping of the beer. An absolute must is the Kirchtag soup, which you definitely have to try. Giving your better half, or someone you like a lot, a gingerbread heart is also on the agenda. Enjoyment is at the heart of the event, with a wide array of Carinthian specialities and delicacies, along with cool, freshly tapped beer. Entertainment is also well taken care of, with party tents, folk music, and dance groups. There will also be plenty to see at the Trachtenfestzug (traditional costume parade).  Fun is a top priority at the Villacher Kirchtag, with numerous leisure attractions and rides waiting for you.

To make sure you don’t lose track of all the festivities, you should check out the site map. It will help you quickly locate the various event venues, food stalls, rides, and party tents, so you won’t miss anything.

PS: Traditional costumes are welcome! So throw on your Dirndl or Lederhosen!

Don't miss out on the many fun festivities! ©Stadtmarketing Villach GmbH
Don't miss out on the many fun festivities! ©Stadtmarketing Villach GmbH
See for yourself how delicious this festival specialty is! ©Stadtmarketing Villach GmbH

Traditional Carinthian cuisine: Villacher Kirchtag soup & other specialities

You can find good food on every corner at the Villacher Kirchtag! The Villacher Kirchtag soup is a traditional dish that you should not miss. It is also called “sour soup“. It owes this name to the sweet and sour cream it contains. The other ingredients are usually five different kinds of meat, root vegetables and various spices. Here you will find the Kirchtag soup recipe by the “Kitchenmaster” Prof. Peter Lexe, so that you can recreate this Carinthian speciality in your (STUWO) communal kitchen.

Traditional Kirchtag delicacies also include Kokosbusserl (small biscuits made of coconut), Lebkuchenherzen (gingerbread hearts), Reindling (Carinthian cupcake) and Langos! You can enjoy all the delicacies and Carinthian specialties with a lively atmosphere at the Kirchtag beer gardens on the main square, the church squares, and at the town hall and registry office squares. The best way to quench your thirst is with a cool drink.

See for yourself how delicious this festival specialty is! ©Stadtmarketing Villach GmbH

Villacher Kirchtag Parade: The traditional costume procession in Villach’s old town

One of the highlights of the Kirchtag is the Trachtenfestzug (traditional costume parade), where you can marvel at traditional costumes from all over the world. The countless brass bands provide the musical accompaniment! The procession starts at the Pestalozzistraße/Italiener Straße junction. From there, the route continues through the old town of Villach, across the main square, and up to Nikolaiplatz. The parade starts on August 2, 2025 at 4 pm.

Villacher Kirchtag 2025 program: there’s something for everyone

The 80th Villacher Kirchtag will once again impress visitors with a diverse program that combines tradition, entertainment, and pure joy. Whether you’re after lifely music, thrilling rides, or a cosy get-together – there’s truly a highlight for everyone here.

Diverse music on the festival stages

For all those with rhythm and music in their veins, there is an extensive music programme. Starting on Tuesday, there will be a Kirchtag disco on Kaiser-Josef-Platz with great music for the best party vibes. Put on your traditional outfit and dance to a variety of genres – from rock and pop to chart hits and Schlager! No musical wish goes unfulfilled, and nothing stands in the way of dancing for hours!

In the name of tradition, there are also countless folk music groups performing on Villach’s Hauptplatz. So you can relax and enjoy your drink or meal while letting the music fill your ears. There are also countless folk dance groups performing their lively choreographies – and they might even invite you to join in the dancing!

You can find the complete music programme here!

Something for everyone: The amusement park in Villach’s old town

From Tuesday to Sunday, you can get a real adrenaline rush at the amusement park right in Villach’s old town. Stretching over 2km, you can find all kinds of rides – from swing carousels and merry-go-rounds to small roller coasters. There’s truly something for everyone! You got Ferris wheels and the like for romantics and relaxed connoisseurs, as well as fast and breathtaking attractions for the adrenaline junkies. By the way, with the Kirchtag wristband, you can enjoy unlimited rides on all attractions!

The opening hours of the amusement park are:

Tuesday 5:00 pm to 01:00 am

Wednesday-Thursday 4:00 pm to 01:00 am

Friday-Saturday 4:00 pm to 02:00 am

Sunday 4:00 pm to 10:00 pm

Conclusion: Villacher Kirchtag

Tradition, culinary delights, music, traditional costumes, amusement park… Here you’ll find everything you need for a fun afternoon and evening with your friends and fellow students. If you are still looking for accommodation, we recommend the STUWO vacation rentals in Villach. Our bright and modern apartments have everything you need for a comfortable and successful stay. The old town of Villach is only 7 minutes away by car and 15 minutes by bike.

Villach and the surrounding area have many wonderful excursion destinations and leisure activities to offer – we’ve highlighted some of the best in this article. If you feel like letting your inner party animal out, you should visit the coolest bars and clubs in Villach. There is always something going on!

We hope you enjoy the 80th Villacher Kirchtag and have a great time in Carinthia!

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